hypocritical christians

"When you pray, 

don't be like the hypocrites,

for they love to pray 

standing in the synagogues 

and on the street corners 

to be seen by others.

Truly I tell you, 

they have received their reward in full."

Matthew 6:5

Hey guys!! I hope you all have been doing well. I have been working a lot more recently. There is nothing that makes me happier than being able to sit down and write a blog. This week's topic is a little more serious, and it may appear like I am pointing fingers (that is not what I am trying to do here!!). My point with this blog post is to try to explain what I think it means to be a true Christian, and to clear up some things that people think about Christians. 

(**Disclaimer : I realize we are all allowed to have our opinion and way of doing things. I am more trying to explain Christians calling other Christians hypocrites, or non-believers calling Christians hypocrites for certain things. I will explain some things Christians do that are hypocritical, but I do not want it to seem like I am pointing fingers at everyone. No one is perfect, and I know I sure am not.) 

So, let's dive right in. I think most of us could come to some sort of agreement that there are many hypocritical Christians. But before any of you decide that all Christians are hypocrites, let me say a few things. No one is perfect... Not you... Not me... Not anyone. A true Christian should not even begin to try to say they are better than anyone. A huge part of our belief is that only Jesus is perfect, and we know we will never come close to that kind of perfection. 

A lot of times people think that because a lot of Christians go to church regularly on Sundays this makes Christians get the sense they are perfect. This is not the case at all. We go to church, because we want to learn more. We know we mess up, and we know there is so much to learn. I have had people laugh at me for going to church every Sunday. They inform that they go to church once or twice a year on holidays. It is exclaimed to me as if that is how it is supposed to be. But what does the Bible say?

In the Bible, it says :

"Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word about Christ." Romans 10:17 

"For where two or three gather in my name, there am I with Him." Matthew 18:20 

God intended for us to go to church and to be in a place of meeting to worship Him. Church is not a chore nor a place to only celebrate holidays, but a place to learn and understand God's word together. However, do not be mistaken. God is everywhere as well. He is with you during the week. Like the Bible verse in bold at the top, be cautious loving God in church with everyone else, and not glorifying him during the week. It is important to meditate on scripture daily.  

Christians are constantly taunted with "Love others. Only God can judge." You are 100% right. We are called to love our neighbor, and we know that it is God's job to judge. However, Christians are also called to call other Christians out on wrong doings, and guide others. I have never screamed at a non-believer or struggling Christian that they are going to hell. I have never told someone I hate them for the choices they are making in THEIR life. I will tell people that I am praying for them when they are struggling. If someone is taunting my beliefs, I will stick up for myself. Under NO circumstance, do I have a right to exclaim that I am better than that person or anyone for that matter. Am I always a calm, collected Christian when it comes to harder discussions? Absolutely not. 

In the Bible, it says : 

"Preach the word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke, and encourage- with great patience and careful instructions." 2 Timothy 4:2

"Brothers and sisters, if someone is caught in a sin, you who live by the Spirit should restore that person gently. But watch yourselves, or you may also be tempted." Galatians 6:1

Correction is commanded in the Bible, but it is important to remember how it is commanded... with gentleness and patience. 

As for non believers, we are called to preach to them. We cannot hold them accountable for not following something they do not believe though. 

In the Bible, it says : 

"But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect." 
1 Peter 3:15

"He said to them, 'Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation.' Mark 16:15

The last thing I want to address is careful what you let the world teach you. What the Bible says is what the Bible says. It is easy to change words around, or look over certain things. I am not going to say a whole lot on this, because people can take what I am saying in many different ways. 

In the Bible, it says:

"All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting, and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work." 

2 Timothy 3:16-17

Lastly, I want to wrap this up by saying, I love each of you who are reading this. Whether we are strangers, friends, or used to know each other, I love you. If you are a devoted Christian, God loves you. If you are a struggling / indecisive Christian, God loves you. If you don't believe in Him, God loves you. I encourage each of you to form a better relationship with God. Study and learn His word. Christians mess up sometimes. Don't let a bad Christian speak on behalf of all of us. Just like we won't let someone of different faith or no faith who is not nice speak on everyone else's behalf.

(I took this photo when I was in Maryville, TN with my sister, Anastasia!!)

As always, you ALL are so loved and appreciated! <3 Thank you for taking the time to read my blog. Please keep on praying for my grandmother's health, and my cousin's brain tumor removal recovery. If you have any questions, comments, or concerns regarding any of my blogs, feel free to reach out! 

Email : newkindofliving@gmail.com

Instagram : newkindofliving

PEACE OUT UNTIL NEXT TIME!! <3 <3

worshipping everything but god

"Every good and perfect gift 

is from above,

coming down from the Father 

of the heavenly lights, 

who does not change 

like shifting shadows."

James 1:17

Hey guys!! It seems like it has been an eternity since I posted, but I am back! Blogs will go back to being posted every other Saturday. My views started decreasing, and sometimes, a break can help get them back up and going again. Now, do not get it twisted lol. I do not post just for views. It is just that I want to reach more people, and if that means taking a step back for a couple of weeks, I will just have to do it. I have spent the last few weeks brainstorming blog ideas, and a whole bunch of other exciting blog related things. So, keep your eye out haha. 

Fun fact : this blog is being posted on my 19th birthday. I honestly feel like I was 18 for many years. I have learned and grown a ton this past year. I am so excited to see how far I will be when I turn 20 next year. My life was so different a year ago, and my life may be so different a year from now. It is just so cool to me to look back on life, and to think / guess what the future holds. 

Also, pretty much the entire month of May, I have hardly had to work. As a nanny working for one family, it is important for me to understand and be flexible for the family. Sometimes, they have other obligations. Such as, company visiting or going on their own vacations. The family I work for is always good about giving me a heads up when things come up, and are very good about being flexible for me. I have no complaints about the lack of work. It has allowed me to spend a lot of time at home, and have like a mini "summer vacation". However, since June 4th, I have to work 8-4 every week day for the rest of the summer. I think working a 40 hour work week will have its challenges, but I am positive it will be a great experience.

I have been out of town a lot recently. I love to travel, but it is hard to always find the time and money to do so. I went to Virginia with some of my family for a few days. I was home for one day, and then, I left with my sister for TN. In Virginia, I spent my days outside doing various activities. It was such a peaceful break from reality. We were literally in the middle of nowhere with no wifi. (And I do not have any data on my phone. So in other words, I was practically off the grid for a while.) The weather was absolutely perfect. In TN, I did various things with my sister. We did not have any real reason to go there, but we just really wanted to go on a road trip together. Plus, TN is super cheap, and the ride there is so pretty. Also, there are many thrift stores to choose from in Maryville, Tennessee in case you were wondering. 

When I was in Virginia especially, I did a lot of thinking. Since I was not able to use social media, I realized the dependency I have on my phone for entertainment. Many of us have heard of the Ten Commandments. But did you know the first two are "You shall have no other gods but Me" and "You shall not make for yourself an idol, nor bow down to it or worship it." Obviously, they are talking about legitimate idols. Back then, they were big into worshipping golden cow statues. Let's look at today's time though. Some of us spend countless hours on social media (aka me). Some of us are obsessed with our partner or someone we like. Some of us work a whole lot. Some of us could watch Netflix for the rest of our life. Whatever it is, it is taking time away from God. 

What is wrong with social media?
Nothing. However, like myself, hours can fly by. I clicked one youtube video three hours ago. I was only going to check instagram for ten minutes, and it has been over an hour of me refreshing the explore page. What things could I have accomplished in all that time I spent online??

What is wrong with loving your partner or finding new love?
Nothing. However, if that person is all you can think about, this will start taking time away from God. This is why a God-centered relationship is an amazing thing. If both of you, put God above the other. The chances of "worshipping" each other diminishes, and you are left with a love God wants to be a part of. What love could be greater than that?

What is wrong with working?
Nothing. However, during your free time, how are you spending it? Are you thinking about work? Once you begin working more and more, your body and mind adjust to focusing on work. Leaving little space for anything else. 

What is wrong with Netflix?
Nothing. However... Well I think we are all getting the point with where this going. 

To wrap this long blog up, simply watch yourself. Whatever, it is you spend a lot of time doing... Make sure you are also equal or more time with God. We are so wrapped up with our short lives here on Earth that we forget about eternity. We will never get close to God by scrolling through memes on Instagram (**writing this so I remember this as well lol). Deuteronomy 4:23-24 says, "So watch yourselves, that you do not forget the covenant of the Lord your God which He made with you, and make for yourselves a graven image in the form of anything against which the LORD your God commanded you. 'For the Lord your God is a consuming fire, a jealous God.'"

(Screenshot from a video I took in Virginia where I was staying!)

Lastly, you ALL are loved and appreciated! <3 Please keep praying for my grandmother and my cousin's recovery. If you are new here, my grandmother has a failing heart that causes many other health-related problems. My cousin recently had a brain tumor removed. The recovery has not been the easiest on him. 

If you have any questions, comments, and/or concerns about this blog or others, you can comment on here, or dm me on instagram (@newkindofliving or @graceke_). I love hearing from y'all!

PEACE OUT UNTIL NEXT TIME!! <3